Mortar dispenser



Jan. 5, 1965 N. APlcELLA Moana DISPENSER Filed June ll, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MTW, Mg 4 @M Jan. 5, 1965 N. APICELLA 3,163,881

MORTAR DISPENSER Filed June 1l, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent O 3,163,331 MGRTAR DISEENSER Nichelaa Ancelle, Liadield Rees, Watertwn, 60m1- Filed iene 11, 1.96.4, Sep N'- 3174,4131A Claires (Ci, 15e-5.5.5)

spaliatioa iS a mimetica-impart of my copending application Serial No. 287,954, led lune 14, 19H63 and entitled Mortar Dispenser, now abandoned. Y

This invention relates to masonry construction, V':llld deals more particularly with a device for dispensing a rlbbon or layer of mortar on a building block 'orvblockrs being laid .in a horizantal ufs@ af val- )ne object o f the present invention is to` provide a mortar dispenser of the above nature which may be used to extrude a continuous thin ylayer or ribbon of Wet mortar upon a row of cinder bloclrs or other similar building blocks preparatory to placing the next row of the blocks thereon. i l I A further object of this invention is to provide a mortar dispenser which includes a provision for readily controlling the thickness of the mortar ribbon extruded therefrom and with which it is impossible to produce a mortar ribbon o t less than a predetermined thickness.

A `still further object of this invention is to provide a device of the above character which -is attractive in appearance, readily useable by an inexperienced person, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings forming a part hereof.

'Ihedrawingsv show oneV embodiment of the device comprising the invention and such embodiment will be desciibedjbut it will be understood that various changes may be made from the c :onstruction disclosed, and that the drawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claimsy forming a part of this speiication being relied upon for that purpose.

( )f the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a mortar dispenser embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the mortar dispenser of FIG. l, the dispenser plate in this view bein g shown in its raised positionl Y FG. 3 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG 2, but showing the dispenser plate in an inclined position.

FG. 4 is a rvertical sectional view similai to FIG. 2, but showing the dispenser plate in its fully lowered position.

FlG. j is a perspective view on a reduced scale showing the mortar dispenser of FIG. 1 in use.

Referring now to the drawings, and first considering FGS 1 and 2', a mortar dispenser embodying the present invention is shown generally by the reference numeral 1%. The basic components of the dispenser are two horizontally elongated and vertically extending side walls 12, 12 between which is received a dispenser plate 14 having a length substantially equalV to that` of the side walls. In theillustrated case, the side Walls 1 2, 12 c onsist of the side walls of a U-shaped channel member whichl in addition to., the side walls includes a horizontal top wall 16. A handle 15 is secured` to the topwall 115 of the channel member and includes a generally horizontail grip portion 24B, and two vertically extending end portions 2:2., Z2 The two. endportions 2,2., 2.2,. extend downwardly beyond the grip portion 2,0 so as to provide a finger opening 24 located between the grip portion 20 the top wall 145, and between the two end portions 22 2210i the handle.

i As shown bestl in FiG. 2, each handle end portion 22 ICC has a vertical opening passing therethrough, each such opening including a smaller diametered portion 26 at the upper end thereof and a larger diametered portion 28 which is located below the smaller diametered portion 26 and which extends downwardly fully to the top wall 16 of the channel member. As explained in more'v detail hereinafter, the larger diametered portion 2S of each vertical opening in the handle'13`comprises a spring chamber and is preferably lined with a sleeve 36 of metal or other wearresistant material; The top wall 16 or the channel member also includes two openings 32 32 each of which is aligned with a respective one of the openings in the handle 18. The handle v1? maybe made of wood or plastic or other suitable material andrin theillustrated example is fastened to the top wall 16 of the channel member by two flat-headed screws 35, 35 each passing upwardly through openings in the top Wall into threaded engagement with a respective one of the end portions 22, 22 ofthe handle.

' Passing through the vertical openings in the end portions of the handle and through the openings 32, 32 in the top wall 1 6 are two posts 34, 34 whichA at their lower end are fixed to the dispenser plate 14 and `which at their upper end are fixed to a squeeze member 36 which extends between the posts at a location spaced above the handle 1d. The posts may be iixed to the dispenser plate 14 and to the squeeze member 36 in various different ways, but as shown in FiG. 2, each post at its lower end includes a reduced diameter threaded portion 33 which is threaded into a corresponding threaded openingvin the dispenser plate. At its upper end, each post includes another reduced diameter portion 4d which passes through the squeeze member S and which at its outer end threadably receives a cap nut 42 for retaining the squeeze plate in place on the threaded portion d@ and against the shoulder separating the reduced diameter portion d@ from the remainder of the post.

Biasing means are provided for urging the dispenser plate 14, the posts 34, 34 and the squeeze member 36 to the raised position as shown in FG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, this biasing means comprises a radial flange 44V formed on each post 34 and located in the associated spring chamber 2S. Each flange 44 provides a downwardly facing spring seat and cooperating with each of these spring seats is another upwardly facing spring seat whi. h is dened by that portion of the top wall 16 surrounding the associated opening 32. Between these two spring seats is a helical compression spring 46 which surrounds the portion of the associated post located below the `flange 44. The flange d4. may be formed integralv with the remainder of the post 34 or may comprise a washer xed to the post as by press iitting--or welding. The. two springs 46, lo urge the dispenser plate 14, the two posts 34, 34 and the squeeze member 36 to. the position shown in FXG. Z whereat further upward movement is prevented by engagement or the dispenser plate withthe topwa-ll 16.

By referring to ElGS. 2, .9,A and '4, lit will. be noted' that the openings in the handle 1S and. top wall' 1'61 through which the posts 34, 34: pass are ofI substantially larger diameter than the posts so that the posts. may be tilted relative tothevertical axes of' the openings in the handle, as shown for examplein FG. 3. 'Ihistilting o the posts 3d, 3A is obtained by pressing` down with. a` greater force on one end of' the squeeze plate 36'. thanonV the other end and results inthe dispensing plate 1A beingA inclined relative to the side walls 12,12zas shown B1G. 3.. In FIG. 3, the dispensing plate is inclinedginsueh a direction that the right-hand end ofthe plate is at a. lower eleva.- tion that theleft-hand end, however, it willrbe understood that the inclination could be-reversed if desired. ln use, a charge of mortar is receivedy between the side walls.y 12,

amasar 12 and by tilting the dispensing plate so that the trailing end thereof is at a height above the lower downwardly facing surfaces 5t), 50 equal to the desired thickness of the ribbon of mortar to be dispensed, the operator may control the thickness of the mortar ribbon. That is, in use the dispenser plate is rst tilted by Vpushing down on one end of the squeeze plate 36 until the trailing end of the dispenser plate 14 is at a height corresponding to the desired thickness of the .mortar ribbon. The dispenser is thenv moved forwardly by sliding the lowered downwardly facing surfaces 50, 50 over the cinder block. As this forward motion takes place, the inclination of the dispenser ,plateexerts a wedging action on the mortar causing the same to be extruded from the trailing end of the dispenser between the cinder block and the trailing cmd of the dispenser plate. As the quantity of the mortar in the dispenser is reduced, the forward end of the squeeze member 36 is squeezed further downwardly relative to the handle 18 until eventually it and the dispenser plate 14 reach the horizontal position shown in FIG. 4. The position of the dispenser plate shown in FIG. 4 is such that it is spaced a substantial distancevabove'the lower surfaces 50, 50 of the side walls and the distance between these surfaces and the dispenser plate corresponds to the minimum thickness of the mortar ribbon capable of being dispensed by the dispenser. This position is determined by the design of the springs 46, 46 which are fully compressed yat this time. That is, the springs 46, 45 together with the flanges 44, 44 and the top wall 15 cornprise a means for limiting the downward movement of the dispenser plate to the position shown in FIG. 4. Y

Guide means may also be provided on the dispenser as an aid in locating the dispensed mortar ribbon close to the edge of the building blocks on which it is laid. Referring to FIG. l, this guide means in the illustrated construction comprises'two small plates 52, 52 which are fastened to the outboard side of one of the side walls 12, y12 and which extend below the lower surface 50 of said side wall.

Each `guide plate 52 therefor provides a vertical guide surface 54 which extends below the downwardly facing surfaces 50, 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the dispenser 10 in use is placed so that the downwardly facing side wall surfaces 50, 50, rest against the upwardly facing surfaces of the building blocks 56, 56 so that the guide surfaces of the guide plates 52, 52 ride against the associated vertical surface of the block. The, guide surfaces therefore locate the dispenser so that the dispensed mortar ribbon 53 is located, as desired, adjacent the edge of thev blocks. It

will, of course, also be understood thatinuse the disl penser is manipulated by grasping the handle 13 and squeeze member 36 in one hand of the user, the lingers of the hand being inserted in the handle opening 24 and the palm of the hand resting against the squeeze member 36 andbeing used to apply a squeezing pressure to the squeeze member as the dispenser is moved forwardly by the hand.

The invention claimed is:

l. A mortar dispenser comprising an elongated pair of spaced vertical side walls between which a supply of mor- ,K

" Y in said top wall being of smaller 4diameter than said tar may be received, -a dispensing plate located between said side walls and extending along substantially the full length thereof, a handle fixed relative to said side walls and located above said dispensing plate, said handle in. cluding a generally horizontal grip portion and two generally vertical end portions located respectively at either end of said grip portion `and extending downwardly beyond saidV grip portion to define a linger opening below said grip portion'and between said end portions, each Y of said end portions having a vertical opening passing therethrough, a generally` horizontal squeeze Vmember located above said handle, twoY vertical posts each extending through a respective one of said Vertical openings in said end `portions of said handle and each iixed at its upper end to said squeeze'memher and at'its lower end to said dispenser plate so that movement of said squeeze member relative to said handle results in movement of said dispenser plate relative to said side walls, and spring means for biasing said dispenser plate and squeeze member and posts to a raised position relative to said side walls, said openings in said end portions `being of such size relative to said posts to permit said posts to be tilted relative to the vertical axis of said openings so that by exerting a greater pressure on one or the other ends of said squeeze member said dispenser plate may be inclined relative to the horizontal axis of said side walls to exert a wedging action on the mortar as said dispenser is moved forwardly and said dispenser plate downwardly.

2. A mortar dispenser as defined in claim l further characterized by each of said side walls having a downwardly facing lower terminal surface, means for limiting the downward movement of said dispenser plate -to a position at which said dispenser plate is disposed a substantial distance above said lower downwardly facing surface of said side walls to establish a minimum thickness of mortar which may be dispensed by saidV dispenser.

3. A mortar dispenser as defined in claim l further characterized by said spring means for biasing said dispenser plate and squeeze member and posts to a raised position relative to said side walls comprising means delining a downwardly facing rst spring seat on each of said posts and located within the vertical opening of the associated handle end portion, means delining an upwardly facing second spring seat fixed relative to said handle below each of saidfirst spring seats, and two helical compression springs each located in .a respective one of said vertical openings and surrounding the associated post and working between the associated pair of lirst and second spring seats. Y

4. A mortar kdispenser as defined in claim 1 further Vcharacterized by each of said side walls having a downwardly facing lower terminal surface and means defining a lvertical guide surface located adjacent the outboard side of one of said side walls and extending below the downwardly facing lower terminal surface of the associated side wall so that when both of said lower downwardly facing surfaces are brought into engagement with the upper horizontal surface of a building block said guide surface may be brought into engagement with a vertical side wall of said block to locate the dispensed mortar close to the edge of said block.

5. A mortar dispenser as defined in claim -l further characterized by said two Vside walls being the side walls of an elongated U-shaped channel member which includes a horizontal top wall from which said side walls depend, said top wall including two openings aligned with said kvertical openings of said end'portions of said handle and through which said top wall openings said posts pass.

6. fA mortar dispenser as defined in claim 5 further characterized by each of said vertical openings in said end portions of said handle including a small diametered upper portion and a larger diametered lower portion which lower portion defines a spring chamber and extendsfully to said top wall of said channel member, said openings spring chambers,l and said spring means including means defining a downwardly facing spring seat on each. of said posts and located within the associated spring chamber, and two helical compression springs each located in a respective one of said vertical openingsand surroundingV the associated post and workingbetween the associated downwardly facing spring seat and said tophwall.

7. A mortar Vdispenserras defined in claim 6 further characterizedby said springs being so designed that when fully compressed said dispenser pljate is located a substantial distance above the, lower downwardly facing surfaces of said side walls.l 8. A mortar dispenser comprising an elongated pair of spaced vertical side walls between which a supply of mortar may be received, a dispensing plate located between said side walls and extending along substantially the full length thereof, 'a handle xed relative to said side walls and located above said dispensing plate, said handle including a generally horizontal grip portion and two generally vertical end portions located respectively at either end of said grip portion and extending downwardly beyond said grip portion to dene a linger opening below said grip portion and between said end portions, each of said end por-tions having a vertical opening passing therethrough, a generally horizontal squeeze member located above said handle, two vertical posts each extending through a respective one of said vertical openings in said end portions of said handle and each xed at its upper end to said squeeze member and at its lower end to said dispenser plate so that movement of said squeeze inember relative to said handle results in movement of said dispenser plate relative to said side walls, means dening a downwardly facing first spring seat on each of said posts and located within the vertical opening of the associated handle end portion, means defining an upwardly facing second lspring seat fixed relative to said handle below each of said rst spring seats, and two helical compression springs each located in a respective one of said vertical openings and surrounding the associated post and working between the associated pair of tirst and second spring seats.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,446,143 7/48 Smith 15-555 X CHARLES A. WILLMUTH, Primary Examiner. 

1. A MORTAR DISPENSER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED PAIR OF SPACED VERTICAL SIDE WALLS BETWEEN WHICH A SUPPLY OF MORTAR MAY BE RECEIVED, A DISPENSING PLATE LOCATED BETWEEN SAID SIDE WALLS AND EXTENDING ALONG SUBSTANTIALLY THE FULL LENGTH THEREOF, A HANDLE FIXED RELATIVE TO SAID SIDE WALLS AND LOCATED ABOVE SAID DISPENSING PLATE, SAID HANDLE INCLUDING A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL GRIP PORTION AND TWO GENERALLY VERTICAL END PORTIONS LOCATED RESPECTIVELY AT EITHER END OF SAID GRIP PORTION AND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY BEYOND SAID GRIP PORTION TO DEFINE A FINGER OPENING BELOW SAID GRIP PORTION AND BETWEEN SAID END PORTIONS, EACH OF SAID END PORTIONS HAVING A VERTICAL OPENING PASSING THERETHROUGH, A GENERALLY HORIZONTAL SQUEEZE MEMBER LOCATED ABOVE SAID HANDLE, TWO VERTICAL POSTS EACH EXTENDING THROUGH A RESPECTIVE ONE OF SAID VERTICAL OPENINGS IN SAID END PORTIONS OF SAID HANDLE AND EACH FIXED AT ITS UPPER END TO SAID SQUEEZE MEMBER AND AT ITS LOWER END TO SAID DISPENSER PLATE SO THAT MOVEMENT OF SAID SQUEEZE MEMBER RELATIVE TO SAID HANDLE RESULTS IN MOVEMENT OF SAID DISPENSER PLATE RELATIVE TO SAID SIDE WALLS, AND SPRING MEANS FO RBIASING SAID DISPENSER PLATE AND SQUEEZE MEMBER AND POSTS TO A RAISED POSITION RELATIVE TO SAID SIDE WALLS, SAID OPENINGS IN SAID END PORTIONS BEING OF SUCH SIZE RELATIVE TO SAID POSTS TO PERMIT SAID POSTS TO BE TILTED RELATIVE TO THE VERTICAL AXIS OF SAID OPENINGS SO THAT BY EXERTING A GREATER PRESSURE ON ONE OR THE OTHER ENDS OF SAID SQUEEZE MEMBER SAID DISPENSER PLATE MAY BE INCLINED RELATIVE TO THE HORIZONTAL AXIS OF SAID SIDE WALLS TO EXERT A WEDGING ACTION ON THE MORTAR AS SAID DISPENSER IS MOVED FORWARDLY AND SAID DISPENSER PLATE DOWNWARDLY. 